Thursday, August 10, 2017

Velázquez Thanks City Council For Standing Strong Against Unnecessary Baychester Square Development

Velázquez Thanks City Council For Standing Strong Against Unnecessary Baychester Square Development

Velázquez announces Legislative Proposal to Insure Community Input for Future Developments Before City Council meeting. Baychester Square proposal was withdrawn by the City.The contentious debate over a planned shopping development, Baychester Square, at a former state-owned property in the Baychester section of the Bronx has been withdrawn today before the City Council due to strong objections from local Council Members and residents.

In response, City Council Candidate Marjorie Velázquez has issued the following statement:

"I want to thank the City Council, in particular Council members King and Vacca, for standing strong against the unnecessary Baychester Square development proposal that would have led to small mom and pop business closures, additional traffic on our highways and local roads, and other quality of life problems for the area. Now we need to stay vigilant to what may be proposed for this site in the future, because there will be another development proposal.

I want to reiterate my previous call the surrounding Community Boards 10 and 11, which will be heavily impacted by this development, be part of the official community engagement process for any future proposed developments.

Lastly, if elected to the City Council, I intend to introduce legislation to change ULURP, the City's process to change zoning, to give Community Boards that are immediately adjacent to proposed developments an official role. Baychester Square is sited in a far corner of Bronx CB 12, and the majority of the impacts will be felt by residents of CB 10 and CB 11 that are literally across the street or highway from this proposed development. They need to have their voices heard in this process."